34 Days of Favorites: Happy Music

Oh, guys. You have no idea how significant it is to be exploring some of my favorite music today.

So let me tell you.:)

When I was in high school, my English class was given the assignment of choosing a favorite song, and doing a project on the lyrics – providing  illustrations, analyzing the poetic structure, that kind of thing.

As soon as my teacher began describing the assignment, I knew there would be trouble.

My parents were always quite particular about the kind of music we listened to in our home, and I knew I had a choice: do my project on a popular song considered “cool” in the eyes of my classmates, or choose a song I actually listened to, probably a favorite shared with my mom. Not quite so cool. (No offense, Mom! Actually, thank goodness you don’t listen to the same music teenagers do!)

I ended up choosing a song I didn’t even like, all for the sake of my reputation.

The very next day, one of my friends saw the name of the song I had chosen at the top of the page in my notebook, and loudly sneered it out.

I hated to have attention drawn to me, and felt so ashamed that even my best efforts to pick a socially acceptable song had failed miserably.

But I also felt defiance rise up in me. If my effort to fit in was not good enough, then I would not try at all.

I went home, chose a new song, and kept my notebook hidden.

And that was the last time I publicly shared my opinion regarding music.

Even when I started dating Ben, who loved music, I never really talked about what kind of music I liked. I listened to whatever he listened to.

Most of the years we’ve been married, I only shared my favorite songs with Ben if they were similar to what he listened to. I knew that Ben would accept me, regardless of my tastes and opinions, but I’d kind of forgotten how to have an opinion.

About two years ago, I started secretly listening to some music I stumbled across on the internet which I really liked. Even then I was still too ashamed of my taste to play it in front of Ben. I listened to it when he was at work, but Anika heard it, and loved it.

One day, Ben came in while “Folding Chair”, one of my favorites, was playing. He stopped to listen for a moment, then said, “What IS this??”

I quickly made up some lame excuse for why the music happened to be playing, never telling him that it was playing because I LIKED IT.

I went into hiding once more. But that defiant streak rose up in me again.

Why shouldn’t I like it? There was nothing wrong with my taste. I was entitled to my own opinion.

So I boldly tried once more. Ben again expressed a bit of surprise, having never heard of my taste for such music, but after awhile, he said he kind of liked it. He began searching the internet for more songs in a similar style, and “Happy Music” was born.

Happy Music is a list of songs I love.

Happy Music is what we listen to when we feel like dancing.

Happy Music is what we turn on when somebody needs cheering up. It’s light and silly and feel-good kind of music.

Guess what? Everybody else loves it, too. The girls ask for it. Ben puts it on when the mood around the house needs to be lifted.

And me? I just feel light and free inside because I came out and said what I really liked. I stopped hiding part of my true self, and now we all dance together.

Nope, it’s not deep and inspiring music. It’s just fun.

So if you want a taste of “Happy Music”, you can check out the video below. It’s one of my favorites. It’s a bit weird. But it’s very danceable in the kitchen when you’re making supper.

And yes, the lyrics are a bit strange. But other than the catchy tune, there are three things which make me love it – the bass kicking in near the beginning, the craving it gives me to run for the beach, and the line that says, “I have a perfect body, because my eyelashes catch my sweat. Yes, they do.”

There you go. What more do you need? As long as you have eyelashes, you’re good to go.

Okay, favorite music suggestions, everybody! Just plain fun, silly stuff. (Serious, emotional music suggestions tomorrow!)

(Just a reminder: 34 Days of Favorites is all about sharing favorites. I’ll share with you, and you can share with me! Anyone who comments during this series will be entered in a draw for a prize. To read more about it, go here.)